Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
$
La Lojanita ('The Young Woman from Loja') is your typical coastal, open-air restaurant
serving the freshest seafood in every traditional dish available. Though there are of course
great seafood restaurants in the sierras, the only place you should really try Ecuadorian
ceviche is on the beach, and the way La Lojanita prepares it is bursting with flavor.
•
Big Ralph's Fish & Chips Restaurant
San Lorenzo Avenue and Espinoza, San Lorenzo Sector
$$
'Big Ralph' is an acclaimed British chef who serves up hearty quality food from his home
country. He opened up a hostel with his Ecuadorian wife just a few years ago and the es-
tablishment is already popular with local expats and visiting foreigners. From the moment
you walk in, to dining on pan-fried fish with a side of quail eggs, black olives and capers
dressing (not to mention the requisite fish and chips,) you'll feel like you're in an exclus-
ive bed and breakfast somewhere on the English countryside.
•
Restaurante Mar y Tierra
Malecón, call ahead of time for directions and reservation
$$-$$$
Mar y Tierra (Sea and Sand) is a prestigious Salinas institution with a broad, time-tested
menu of seafood dishes served in a variety of international takes. It can be pretty difficult
to decide where to start, but you can't go wrong with the crab cake appetizer. Local bands
are known to drop in and serenade guests.
Accommodations
Salinas isn't cheap. Last time I went there with my family on a whim and after hours of
searching, still weren't able to find anything less than $40. There are no cheap backpacker
hostels, or even basic family-owned
residenciales.
It's as if Salinas sucked all the luxury
high-rises out of Ecuador and stuck them on its waterfront. If you're looking to spend the
night in Salinas, plan ahead of time.
•
Hostería Ecológica El Faro
North on the main Salinas road, left at UTE (towards the ocean)
$$
